<p>We are buying a new desktop for Christmas and I have no idea what the minimum and desired specs should be. Our old computer is over 5 years old and very slow. I am probably looking at a Dell or HP (Mac is out of the question because of work requirements). I don’t think we do much that requires intensive graphics (no big games), and probably only use the computer for pictures, email, internet, MS Office, etc. I want to get one that is fast and will last for a few years. Does anyone have suggestions on the specs for processor, memory, etc? I will probably buy from COSTCO to get the warranty extended.</p>
<p>I have been ok happy with dell computer. two in a row here. I buy laptops. i find they are just a fast and powerfull as a desktop. The top can be closed quickly to keep things clean. (cat loves to sleep on keyboard) I stayed with Intel Pentium. I changed to Windows vista and it was a chore at first. But one day decided to not fight it anymore and learned to accept Vista. I 'd get as many UBS ports as possible. Wireless internet is now built in to most computers. Remember to get a good speaker and sound from the computer. In a few short months or year or so we will all be making and receiving phone calls thru the computer. many are doing it already. This last computer i got an upgraded video graphics as i was betting on more news videos. Well most TV shows can be viewed now online and more everyday.
These computers cost so little and Dell has a year warranty (i think) that you will not need an extended warranty. People pay more for cable tv in a year than they do for a laptop computer. it’s too cheeap and too disposable to warranty.</p>
<p>For your usage, virtually any of the Intel Dual Core Processors that come in most new computers will be plenty fast. Get as much memory (minimum 2 gigs) and hard-drive space (minimum 150 gigs) as you can afford. The more memory and storage space the better and 3 -4 gigs memory and 250 gigs hard-drive space is not unreasonable and will give you a computer that you will not outgrow in the next 5 years. The memory, more than the processor speed, will have more of an impact on how fast the computer runs given your intended use. Also, monitor size can be important to your enjoyment of the new computer. A 17 inch LCD is considered small these days and if you have the space and can budget it, a 19 - 21 inch LCD is very appealing. Other than that, make sure you have at least 4 USB ports, even 6, and consider an external hard drive for back up storage of critical documents and files.</p>
<p>Looking at the dell computers on costco </p>
<p>[Costco</a> - $599.99 After $150 OFF Dell 530 Q6600 Quad 2.4GHz 4GB 320GB DVDRW](<a href=“http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ec=BC-EC25518-ProdID11269570&pos=0&whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11269705&lang=en-US]Costco”>http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?ec=BC-EC25518-ProdID11269570&pos=0&whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11269705&lang=en-US)</p>
<p>if you already have a monitor it would be a great deal and it should easilt last another 5 years since it has a quad core.</p>
<p>For a desktop I recommend a quad-core, minimum 3G memory, > 200G hard drive, 22-24" LCD monitor. I’d stick with well-known brands - Dell, HP, Gateway, Lenovo. Look for some of the bundled deals that include the PC, Monitor, KB, Mouse. You’ll probably want one with a DVD burner that’ll be handy for some backups and transferring videos and also a memory card reader built-in that’ll make it easy to read the memory cards from your camera. The last one I got also had a TV Tuner card built-in that allows one to watch TV on it and use it as a DVR. All of this is relatively inexpensive nowadays.</p>
<p>If you’re planning on a Dell, find some of the ‘coupons’ to use for even more of a discount. These can be had in their advertisements or by googling ‘Dell coupon’. You can also check to see if there are any good deals through your kid’s college.</p>
<p>With your permission, rhy, I have an associated question… I’d like to buy my 82 y.o. mother a handy extension to her desktop to encourage more frequent use. I’m researching the 9 in minis from Acer, Asus, and Dell. I think I also want an integrated web cam. Anyone have experience with Acer or Asus (I’m used to Dells)?</p>
<p>I have an Asus and I love it.</p>
<p>also Asus is the company who started the whole “netbook” craze with their EEEpc.</p>
<p>and all Asus laptops come with 2 years standard warrant. I think the eee pc has the 1 year accidental warranty too ( as long as you register it on their site)</p>
<p>If you are buying a computer online make sure you look for coupons. For instance if you are looking at a Dell Google ‘Dell coupons’. The last 2 computers I have bought online I have found coupons which enabled me to get more computer for my money. The way they work is that you enter the coupon code and if it is a better deal than whatever Dell is offering you get the coupon deal instead.</p>
<p>jasmom, The columnist for the Washington Post just did a review. You might have to set up a log in to get on this page, but it does not cost anything. </p>
<p>[washingtonpost.com</a> - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines](<a href=“http://washingtonpost.com%5Dwashingtonpost.com”>http://washingtonpost.com)</p>
<p>And as for the monitor, there are so many improvements now that if your monitor is 5 years old it is worth replacing, too. The package deals are really good.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>jasmom:</p>
<p>I don’t know about your mom but I know a lot of elderly people have more difficulty in reading small screen/font sizes and working smaller keyboards. If you’re looking for a portable I suggest looking at a more normal sized laptop - something in the 14" range. They’re relatively inexpensive for the lower end models, just as cheap as the 9" models I think, they’re fairly lightweight, but probably more compatible for an elderly person.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your answers. I didn’t even think to look for coupons. I will now get the computer with the most memory that I can, and hope it lasts for a few years. And JASMOM, I don’t have amy probelms with any questions that anyone has, so ask away, but I won’t be able to answer any tech questions.</p>
<p>Memory is good but also make sure it at least has a dual core processor. A single core will really struggle with Vista.</p>
<p>If you use Google Goc
you may not need a LARGE HDrive</p>
<p>All files are stored on Gs server</p>
<p>Stay away from HP. The high qual of HP in past is just that, in the past.
I bought new hp monitor and it failed almost exactly 1 year as soon as warranty ran out.
Dell monitor is 7 years and still going strong.</p>
<p>HP laptop I get from work, its my third in as many months. First one failed to boot due to hard drive problem. Other one I forgot what ailed it but my IT department has to hand me a third (this one) HP laptop. Even this one has multi problem. One of them is constantly not knowing when to shut down or hypernate, and can up heati up when you tug it away in the carry case and motors running after issued shutdown.</p>
<p>Dell on the hand not a problem in 7 years, although I am about to replace it finally after many good yrs of service. DELL is it.</p>
<p>rhy: </p>
<p>Ditto the recommendation AGAINST HP. Within 4 months of receiving my computer, the hard drive failed. Then the battery failed. Then the screen flickered. Sent it in – came back still flickering. Sent it in again – still flickering. Sent in AGAIN – fixed. 2 years after buying it.</p>
<p>Don’t buy a computer with Vista that has fewer than 2GB of RAM. They sell them, but Vista will never function well with less than 2GB.</p>
<p>The recommendations above are pretty sound. The “bottom line” (as far as lasting power is concerned) PC would be a Dual Core with 2.0 GHz, 2GB of RAM, 150GB HD, Vista and a DVD-RW. Mid-range would be Dual Core with 2.4GHz+, 3-4GB of RAM, 250GB HD and a DVD-RW w/ Blu-ray player. Best would be 2.6GHz+, 4+ GB RAM, .5TB HD, Blu-ray writer drive.</p>
<p>There’s no real reason to buy more than the basic system right now. The processor is hard to upgrade, but as long as your motherboard supports it, there are plenty of options for RAM upgrades (which are wonderful things) and HDs (external especially) later on down the line. </p>
<p>jasmom:</p>
<p>Second, again, the recommendation against a netbook. They’re neat and pretty bare bones (which is often all some people neat), but they are TINY. I thought I wanted one to complement the desktop system I think will be my next computer purchase, but even I think they’re a little too small for regular use.</p>